Watch clip



July 3, 1934. M, BOUCHER 1,965,095

WATCH CLIP Filed June 27, 1931 2 Ol 25 Ill ll Te 9 n ,NVENTOR n 30 BY Marcel BOu heY.

H13 A TTORNEY Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATCH CLIP Application June 27, 1931, Serial No. 547,285

1 Claim.

The invention relates to watch clips and has for its principal object to provide a means for mounting a watch movement in a neat and simple manner in a clip which is readily attachable to any convenient part of the garments of the wearer.

It has to do particularly with refinements and improvements in a watch clip of the nature disclosed in my copending application, Serial No.

1 528,393, filed April 7, 1931.

As in my aforesaid mentioned application the watch movement is pivoted in a frame and means are provided for normally retaining the movement within the frame so that the dial of thewatch movement is only exposed when the movement is swung away from the frame.

In accordance with the present invention the means for retaining the movement within the frame is simple and compact and is entirely covered and concealed from view and yet is easily accessible if repairs should be needed.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for lessening shocks which might be caused by the movement snapping back into the 5'. stationary frame.

Still another object is to provide a simple means whereby the movement may be held in an open position so as to permit of the watch being placed on a desk or table so that the time may be readily discerned.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will become apparent as this specification proceeds the invention consists in the arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawing in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the watch clip;

Fig. 2 is an edge view, the clip and the move- 46 ment being shown in broken lines in the position they would assume when swung away from the stationary frame;

Fig. 3 is an edge view with the movement in its full open position;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation on a larger scale, parts being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section, the watch movement being in elevation;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation;

. Fig. '7 is a cross sectional view taken on line '7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional View taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another alternate construction.

Referring again to said drawing and particularly to Figs. 1 to 8 the reference numeral 15 designates a stationary frame. This frame is U-shaped and comprises the top or upper member 16 and side members 17.

Pivoted at 18 to the upper member 16 of the frame is a clip member 19. The clip member is urged toward the frame by a spring portion 20 bearing against a flattened portion of the frame. When the clip member is opened wide enough to force the spring portion 20 beyond the flattened portion of the frame it remains in the open position. In this manner the clip watch may be attached to any portion of the garment of the wearer with great facility. Other forms of spring means may be provided for urging the clip member toward the frame. Prongs 21 may be provided on either the clip member or the stationary frame for assisting in holding the device to the garment of the wearer.

It will thus be apparent the clip watch may be readily and quickly attached to any desired part of the garment.

A pin 22 connects the lower extremities of the side members 17. The ends of the pin are secured to the side members in any suitable manner as by brazing, soldering or peening. A holder 23 is pivotally mounted on the pin 22. Means are provided for urging the holder toward the frame and maintaining the holder within the frame.

This means comprises a spring 24 coiled about the pin. One end of the spring is secured to a lug 25 fast to or integral with the holder and the other end of the spring is secured to the pin 22.

In this manner the spring will be wound and store up energy when the holder is swung away from the frame so as to positively urge it toward 3) the frame when it is released.

The holder is preferably made in two pieces 26 and 27 and a watch movement 28 occupies a substantial part of the holder. The two parts of the holder may be secured together in any 66 well known manner, the watch movement preferably being carried by the outer part 26 of the holder and the inner part 27 being pivoted on the pin 22. The crown 29 of the watch movement acts as an appropriate finger piece for 65 swinging the holder away from the stationary frame to ascertain the time.

As heretofore stated the movement occupies a. substantial part of the holder. However, it is considered an important aspect of the invention ll'O to provide a space below the movement for the reception of the pin 22 and spring 24. By this construction the pin and spring are entirely concealed and yet they are easily accessible when the part 26 of the holder is removed.

An opening is provided in the rear part 27 of the holder to expose the dial 31. 7

Means are provided for maintaining the holder in an open position as shown in Fig. 3. In this position the clip watch may be set on a table, desk or any fiat surface and the time is always discernable. Small tits 32 may be punched out from the sides of the holder and these tits cooperate with depressions 33 formed in the side members of the frame. It will be noted in the open position an angle of more than 90 exists between the holder and the frame. When the clip watch is secured to the garment of the wearer and is being used it ordinarily will be opened less than 90 to observe the time. Therefore the means for maintaining the holder in the open position will not interfere with the normal operation of the watch.

When the holder is swung away from the frame to note the time the spring will naturally tend to cause it to snap back. It is important that means be provided to take up any shock or jars that might be caused by this action. A pair of thin ears 34 are secured to or formed integral with the frame adjacent the pivot of the holder and the frame. The holder obviously will have a minimum amount of travel at or about this point. The ears are so spaced as to prevent any part of the holder and particularly the upper ,part from contacting with the rigid stationary frame. Shocks and jars will thus be absorbed or almost eliminated, thereby preventing injuries to the watch movement.

In Fig. 9 the pivot 35 of the holder is at right angles to the clip hinge 18. This arrangement is advantageous when worn on certain parts of the garment.

Fig. 10 illustrates a different type of means for urging the holder toward the frame. In this form sleeves are secured to or formed on the lower part of the frame. Other sleeves 41 are formed on the holder. A spring pintle, preferably in the form of a flat wire 42 is inserted in the sleeves, given a twist, and its ends secured therein.

Changes in details of construction and arrangements of parts, such as might be made by one skilled in the art, are to be considered as coming within the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

I claim:

A watch supporting device adapted to be worn on a garment and comprising a stationary frame, a watch-carrying holder pivoted in and adapted to be swung away from the frame to expose the MARCEL BOUCHER. 

